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Lawmaker honored by cable association

State Sen. Jack Murphy of Cumming was recently recognized by the Georgia Cable Association.

Murphy, a Republican who represents District 27, was named as a 2013 Broadband Leader of the Year, for his work with the association on several legislative priorities during the past session.

“I’m honored to have helped increase connectivity across Georgia, which is a building block to providing opportunities for education and economic development for the state,” said Murphy, who chairs the Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee.

“Access to the Internet opens opportunities for learning and job searching and has become an integral part of our daily lives, which makes the Georgia Cable Association’s work vital to local community development.”

In addition to Murphy, Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle and President Pro Tem David Shafer of Duluth also received the distinction for their work to promote free-market solutions to expanding broadband in Georgia.

Stephen Loftin, executive director of the association, said the lawmakers were instrumental in brokering a solution to a long-standing issue over pole attachment contracts between cable operators and electric membership cooperatives.

“These gentlemen deserve to be applauded for their persistence in finding a solution to this issue,” he said. “Finalizing these contracts will give the industry predictability on their rates, which always improves business confidence in investment. That is good for consumers and promotes job growth.”

The association employs more than 5,550 workers and serves more than 1.4 million Georgia households.